Prepare yourself for a delightful culinary adventure as we embark on the journey of creating an exquisite Apricot Coffee Cake with Butterscotch Walnut Filling, a true gem among cake recipes, straight from the pages of Canadian Living Christmas magazine, boasting a perfect harmony of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy! 🍰✨
This indulgent creation promises to be a highlight of your baking repertoire, a moist and flavorful masterpiece that elevates the classic coffee cake to new heights of deliciousness, featuring a luscious butterscotch walnut filling nestled within a tender apricot-infused crumb, creating a symphony of sweet and nutty notes in every decadent bite. Are you ready to dive into the world of baking bliss? Let’s get started! 🎉
Apricot Coffee Cake with Butterscotch Walnut Filling
Ingredients:
| For the Filling: | |
|---|---|
| 1/2 cup | Butter, softened |
| 3/4 cup | Sugar |
| 3 | Eggs |
| 2 tsp | Vanilla extract |
| 2 1/4 cups | All-purpose flour |
| 1 tsp | Baking powder |
| 1/2 tsp | Salt |
| 1 cup | Half-and-half cream |
| 1/2 cup | Brown sugar |
| 1/2 cup | Butter, melted |
| 1 tsp | Vanilla extract |
| 1 cup | Chopped walnuts |
For the Cake Batter:
| For the Cake Batter: | |
|---|---|
| 1/2 cup | Butter, softened |
| 1 1/4 cups | Sugar |
| 3 | Eggs |
| 2 tsp | Vanilla extract |
| 2 1/4 cups | All-purpose flour |
| 1 tsp | Baking powder |
| 1/2 tsp | Salt |
| 1 cup | Half-and-half cream |
| 1 1/2 cups | Chopped dried apricots |
For the Glaze (Optional):
| For the Glaze (Optional): | |
|---|---|
| 1/2 cup | Icing sugar |
| 1/2 tsp | Vanilla extract |
| 2 tsp | Whipping cream (more or less) |
Instructions:
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan, ensuring every nook and cranny is well-prepared to embrace the glorious cake batter.
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Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla extract to create a luxurious filling base. Stir in the chopped walnuts until they are evenly coated in this delectable mixture. Set aside for later use.
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Create the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, a crucial step in ensuring the perfect texture of our coffee cake. Incorporate the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
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Prepare the Apricot Goodness: In a separate bowl, gently toss the chopped dried apricots with 1/4 cup of the all-purpose flour, ensuring each apricot piece is coated to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking. Set aside this tantalizing fruit mixture for later incorporation into the batter.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the remaining all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, ensuring the leavening agents are evenly distributed for optimal rise and fluffiness in our coffee cake.
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Alternate Additions: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, alternating with additions of half-and-half cream, making sure to begin and end with the dry ingredients. This method ensures a smooth and well-incorporated batter, setting the stage for a perfectly moist and tender cake.
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Incorporate the Apricots: Gently fold in the flour-coated chopped apricots into the batter until they are evenly distributed, infusing every spoonful of batter with the sweet essence of apricot goodness.
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Layering Magic: Spread one-third of the prepared cake batter into the greased and floured Bundt pan, creating a solid foundation for our layers of flavor. Sprinkle half of the prepared butterscotch walnut filling evenly over the batter, allowing it to nestle into the cake layer.
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Repeat and Build: Repeat the layering process once more, adding another third of the cake batter followed by the remaining butterscotch walnut filling, creating a tantalizing swirl of sweetness within our coffee cake masterpiece.
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Top it Off: Finish off the layering process by spreading the remaining cake batter over the filling, ensuring it covers the entire surface and seals in the deliciousness within.
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Bake to Perfection: Place the Bundt pan in the center of the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, signaling its readiness to be enjoyed.
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Cool and Unmold: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, allowing it to set slightly before carefully removing it from the pan and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Optional Glaze: If desired, prepare a simple glaze by mixing icing sugar, vanilla extract, and whipping cream until smooth and drizzle-worthy. Gently pour the glaze over the cooled cake, allowing it to cascade down the sides, adding a touch of elegance and sweetness to our already irresistible creation.
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Serve and Enjoy: Slice into generous portions and savor the fruits of your labor, reveling in the moist crumb, the delicate sweetness of apricots, and the irresistible allure of the butterscotch walnut filling. Whether enjoyed with a steaming cup of coffee as a morning treat or shared with loved ones as a delightful dessert, this Apricot Coffee Cake with Butterscotch Walnut Filling is sure to impress and delight with its irresistible charm and undeniable flavor.
Now that you have the secrets to creating this culinary masterpiece, it’s time to roll up your sleeves, preheat that oven, and let the aroma of freshly baked goodness fill your kitchen as you embark on your baking adventure. Get ready to wow your taste buds and impress your friends and family with this unforgettable Apricot Coffee Cake creation! 🎂✨
